A level Physics Years 12 and 13
Specification
OCR - The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/171726-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-physics-a-h556.pdf
The course is intended to satisfy the needs of all students who wish to study Physics to A level as a preparation for higher study.
The aims of the course are to encourage students to:
- Develop essential knowledge and understanding in Physics and, where appropriate, the applications of Physics, and the skills needed for the use of this in new and changing situations.
- Appreciate how Physics has developed and is used in present day society.
- Show the importance of Physics as a human endeavour which interacts with social, philosophical, economic and industrial matters.
- Sustain and develop their enjoyment of, and interest in, Physics.
- Recognise the quantitative nature of Physics and understand how mathematical expressions relate to physical principles.
- Bring together knowledge of ways in which different areas of Physics relate to each other.
- Study how scientific models develop.
Course Content
Year 12
Content Overview | Assessment Overview | |
---|---|---|
There are six teaching modules: |
Modelling Physics |
37% of total A Level |
Exploring Physics |
37% of total A Level |
|
Unified Physics |
26% of total A Level |
|
Practical Endorsement in Physics |
Reported separately |
Year 12
Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
---|---|---|---|
Autumn Term | |||
1 | Foundations of physics |
Physical quantities and units Making measurements and analysing data Nature of quantities |
Applying knowledge and understanding Analysing, interpreting and evaluating Making judgements and reaching conclusions |
1 | Development of practical skills in physics | Practical skills assessed in a written examination | |
1 | Forces and motion | Motion | |
1 | Electrons, waves and photons |
Charge and current Waves |
|
2 | Forces and motion |
Motion Forces in action |
As above |
2 | Electrons, waves and photons |
Electrical circuits Waves |
|
Spring Term | |||
1 | Forces and motion |
Work, energy and power Materials |
As above |
1 | Electrons, waves and photons |
Energy, power and resistance Waves |
|
2 | Forces and motion |
Materials |
As above |
2 | Electrons, waves and photons | Quantum physics | |
2 | Development of practical skills in physics |
Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement Practical investigation |
|
Summer Term | |||
1 | Forces and motion | Newton’s laws of motion and momentum | As above |
1 | Newtonian world and astrophysics | Thermal physics | |
1 | Development of practical skills in physics |
Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement Research article |
|
1 | Revision and Recap | ||
2 | Electrons, waves and photons | Quantum physics |
As above |
2 | Revision and Recap |
Year 13
Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
---|---|---|---|
Autumn Term | |||
1 |
Newtonian world and astrophysics |
Oscillations Gravitational fields |
Development of practical skills in physics Applying knowledge and understanding Analysing, interpreting and evaluating Making judgements and reaching conclusions |
1 | Particles and medical physics |
Electric fields |
As above |
2 |
Newtonian world and astrophysics |
Astrophysics and cosmology |
As above |
2 | Particles and medical physics |
Nuclear and particle physics Capacitors |
As above |
Spring Term | |||
1 |
Particles and medical physics |
Electromagnetism Medical imaging |
As above |
2 | Revision and Recap |
|
|
Summer Term | |||
1 | Revision and Recap |
Assessments
Resources | Topic | Type of assessment |
---|---|---|
CAT 1 | Motion, Waves and Quantities & Units | Written assessment |
CAT 2 | All work so far | Written assessment |
CAT 3 | All of Year 12 work | Mock examination |
CAT 4 | All Y12 and 13 work | Written assessment |
CAT 5 | All Y12 and 13 work | Mock examination |
CAT 6 | A level examination |
Main Resources
Resource | Details | Term |
---|---|---|
Recomended textbook | A level Physics for OCR (OXFORD University Press) | All |
Recommended reading |
New Scientist |
All |
Recommended websites |
alevelphysicsonline (login needed ask your Physics teacher) Echalk.com |
All |
Enrichment opportunities
Activity | Day and time or term |
---|---|